The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-07-23
A DIMINISHING INDUSTRY.
Decrease of Sacramento's Salmon Catch
Some Remedies for the Evils Proposed.
Is r Rullafin 10 I

A gentleman who has given much at.
tention to the subject, and who has taken
great interest in the propagation of fish
IN this state, speaks as follows concern
ing the rapid decrease in the product of
the salmon fisheries in this state:
while the agricultural, horticultural
and kindred industries of California have
made steady growth, minor, but impor-
tant interest in the prosperity of the
state has steadily decreased, until now it
is said to be on the verge of abandon
ment. This Is the salmon-canning in
dustry, the principal source being the
Sacramento river, where the catch for
the last i've years has lessened until the
business is conducted at positive loss to
the few firms still engaged IN IL. Up TO
1888 the catch of salmon In this river was
abundant and the canned product was to
be found in most parts of Europe as well
as the United States. Now the brands of
Sacramento canned salmon are noted for
their scarcity and there is the prospect of
their extinction in the near future.
| "On examination there seems to be no
good reason why salmon-canning on the
Sacramento river should cease; in fact,
there is every prospect that it would re-
gain its former prosperity if vigorous
efforts are made TO produce that result
The natural conditions of the lower or
main river are the same as they have
been in the past; in fact, one evil, the
discoloration of the water by mining de-
bris, is about ended. The tributaries,
viz, the Upper Sacramento, Pitt and
McCloud rivers, have the same advant-
ages for spawning fish as they have had
heretofore. 1t needs only energetic and
continued efforts against unlawful prac-
tices and restocking with young fish to
increase the catch of salmon TO at least
its original numbers. If proper efforts
are made to prevent the destruction Of
Young fish by the Chinese in the waters
sloughs on the main or lower river, and
to prevent sawdust and other injurious
matter destroying the spawning grounds
in the tributaries, there is no good reason
why, with annual restocking, the salmon
canning industry will not resume Its
former Importance on the Sacramento in
the near future.
"The late b. b. Redding, fish commits
sioner, Just before his death in 1882, had
. in contemplation increasing the stocking
of the tributaries of the Sacramento river
far beyond that of former years. He
claimed there was no limit TO increasing
the number of young fish except that of
the supplies of food to be found in the
bllCdL4b NICAC thCI nGAC "
grow until ready to migrate to sea-say
one year after Matching. As after that
time they found their food in salt water
there would be no demand on the rivers
the salmon ascended to spawn. To use
bis own words, he intended to stock the
Sacramento river with young fish so that
adult salmon returning to spawn should
crowd the lower river so that vessels
could hardly pass through Them His
intentions were to make the Sacramento
like the Frazer and other rivers in British
Columbia, where the annual migration OF
salmon made the water at times seem
solid with fish. Since Mr.. Redding's
death there have been no young salmon
artifcially hatcbed out and placed in the
!. Sacramento, and from the young fish be-
ing taken in millions by the Chinese fish,
, men in illegal nets, the depredations OF
the seals on adult fish and the catch fol
human food, the number of fish taker
for canning purposes has dwindled tC
about one-ffth of what il was in 1882.
"a comparison Of the catches made ol
rather canned for the past five years vii
be Instructive; also the prices paid fol
same capital invested in the industry anS
employment given to those engaged IL
the boats, taking the fish ON the Sacra
mento river: In 1882 there was canned
20O, ,337 cases of dozen 1-pound cans; il
1888. 150. 400 cases; in 1884, 81, ,450 cases
in 1885, A, 400 cases, and in 1886, SO so
, cases. The catch of the present year il
it will be less than that of 1886. Th,
value of the canned salmon based upoI
an average of $3.50 per case was, in 1882
1901 SIG; in 1888, $676, 800; in 1884, 1853,
= SIS; in 1886, $199, 800 and in 1886, $164-
$50. In 1882 there were ten canneriea
putting up salmon, with an investment
, of 81 ,000,600 capital, employing in tn,
season 800 boats manned by 1000 men
In addition to the fishermen there wer,
about one Thousand persons employed il
the canneries, beside those engaged il
the transportation Of product and ma
terials for boxes. Aside from the salmon
canned large quantities were salted an(
, smoked as well as larger and cheape
! supply for local purposes than there is a
! present.
"To permit the saImon-canning indus
l try of the Sacramento river to perish un
2 der the circumstances as above stated
| by neglecting measures to insure its con
tinuance, Is not only blot upon the in
telligence OF our people but is a crim
whose influence will extend to futur
generations. Here is an industry tha
has given employment to thousands o
people, investment Of capital, and in tn
opinion of competent judges could be in
creased many fold, going to destruction
;, ALI enforcement os the Law against tax
b ing immature fish by Chinese fshermel
|, and other offenders would do much h
. remedy the evil. Add to this a ibera
. restocking the river with young Ash b.
|, the fish commissioners, and in not longe
:, than four years hence sslmon-csnninl
q should again resume its former value
. The salmon canning industry on the Co
Iumbia has steadily declined of lat
I years, and as that river and its mail
: tributary forms the boundary line be
tween Oregon and Washington and Idah
Territories concurrence of the legisla
r lures of all three will be required befor
D its waters can be efficiently protected
D The fishing interests of each being diff
a ferent as to season, it is not probabl
q any joint measures for the protection
J. and increase of salmon will be taken
The Sacramento river being entirely with
in the boundaries of this state its Law
for the protection Of salmon can AM
should be enforced SO as to insure q con
{ tinuance if not increase of the annua
/ catch"